Display-sign.



F. V. WALKER.

DISPLAY SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9, 1914.

1,107,125. Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

W/Znesses:

THE-NORRIS PETERS (70.. PHOm-LITHOH WASHINGTON, D. C

FREEMAN v. WALKER, or BLUFF'roN, sou'rn CAROLINA.

DISPLAY-SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

Application filed. January 9, 1914. Serial N 0. 811,192.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREEMAN V. WALKER, of Blulfton, in the county of Beaufort and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Display-Signs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive display sign especially adapted for the use of merchants, in calling attention to wares, and which may be readily changed from time to time.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in perspective showing a hanger and several holders. Fig. 2 is a face view of a holder blank. Fig. 3 is a reverse View of a holder with the charactencarrying tape in position. Fig. 4 is a central horizontal sectional view with the tape omitted. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective showing the face of the holder with the character tape in position.

In carrying out my invention I form each holder from a single metallic blank 1, as shown in Fig. 2, said blank having a central rectangular portion in which is a square opening 2. From opposite sides of the blank extend lateral wings 3, and at the upper and lower inner corners of said wings are ears 4 which are formed with central openings. The blank, at its upper and lower edges, is bent back upon itself in opposite directions, that is to say, the upper edge is extended forwardly and the lower edge rearwardly, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5, thereby forming upper and. lower hooks 5. The lateral wings 8 are bent rearwardly along the dotted lines 6, Fig. 2, and are then again bent or curved from the dotted lines 7. The free ends of the wings are brought into contact with, or in close proximity to, the rear side of the plate immediately adjacent to the central opening 2 thereof. The ears 4 are also bent into horizontal positions, at right angles to the plate, as shown in Fig. l, and in line with the spaces formed by bending the wings.

A tape or ribbon 8 of paper, cloth, or other suitable material, and provided with the necessary letters, numerals, or other symbols, is secured to and wound upon two shafts 9. These shafts have their bearings in ears 4, the rolls of the tape on the shafts being inclosed by the rearwardly bent wings of the holder. The upper (or it may be the lower) ends of these shafts are squared or flattened to allow a crank or other tool, such as 10, Fig; 3, to engage therewith whereby the tape may be wound 011 one shaft and unwound from the other. In this way the desired letter or symbol may be brought opposite the central opening 2. The tape is held in proper position, with the letter or symbol centrally over the opening, by the braking action of the free ends of wings 3. In other words, such ends exert sufficient tension against the tape to hold it taut under all conditions.

Any desired word or sign may be formed by a series of separate holders suspended in a row, and for this purpose I preferably provide a hanger 12 which consists of a single strip of metal bent over upon itself along its upper and lower longitudinal edges to form upper and lower hooks, the upper hook engaging a rod or wire 13, while the lower hook is engaged by the upper hook 5 of a holder. WVhen two or more rows of letters or characters are to be employed the lower row or rows may be suspended directly from the lower hooks 5 of the holders, or a second strip 12 may be interposed and suspended from the first row.

The advantages of my invention will be readily appreciated. It will be seen that I have provided extremely simple and inexpensive means for obtaining display signs which may be readily and easily changed at will. The cost of manufacture is very small, and there is little or no danger of the parts getting out of order.

I claim as my invention:

1. A display sign consisting of a plate having a central opening, wings carried by said plate having their free ends abutting against or in close proximity to the rear face of the plate, a tape or ribbon having letters or symbols extending across said opening and between the plate and the ends of said wings, and means for winding and unwind ing said tape, the free ends of said Wings serving as brakes for the tape.

2. A- display sign consisting of a plate having a central opening, opposite wings extending from said plate and bentbackwardly thereon with their free ends in contact with or in proximity to the rear side of the plate, apertured ears struck from said plate at the inner ends of said wings and bent at right angles to the plate, a tape or ribbon having letters or symbols and engaged by the ends of said wings, andshafts upon which said tape is wound, said shafts being supported by said ears.

3. A display sign consisting of a plate having a central opening and bent along its edge to form a suspending hook, lateral wings struck from said plate and bent back thereon at its rear, ears also struck from said plate at the inner ends of said wings and bent at right-angles to the plate in line with the spaces formedby said wings, shafts in said spacessupported by said ears, and a tape wound on said shafts.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FREEMAN V. WALKER.

Witnesses:

A. FRIPP, C. PINCKNEY.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 0! Patents,

Washingtomh-G. 

